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Monday, May 25, 2009
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By
Courier-Journal Reporter
Marcus Green He can be reached at (502) 582-4675. |
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Kentucky wants to
permanently close an
on-ramp from Preston
Highway to the Watterson
Expressway in hopes of
reducing accidents in a
busy junction that also
includes Interstate 65. The state Department of Highways has been in talks with federal transportation officials and has asked the Federal Highway Administration how to proceed, said Andrea Clifford, a department spokeswoman. At issue is a ramp off Preston Highway just north of Durrett Lane that feeds into a separate ramp used by drivers heading north on I-65 and exiting onto eastbound Interstate 264. Matt Bullock, chief engineer for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Louisville district, told a Louisville Metro Council committee last week that the ramp carries about 435 vehicles a day -- compared with thousands of cars on the other two I-65 ramps that converge nearby. "The closing of the ramp would be advantageous for everybody -- except for 450 people," Bullock said. Plans call for the ramp's Preston Highway entrance to be closed and restriped as part of the existing ramp to I-264 east. Lanes coming from I-65 -- northbound and southbound -- would extend further without forcing drivers to weave. Instead of taking the Preston Highway ramp, drivers who had used it would instead drive south to Grade Lane and briefly access I-65 north before exiting east onto the Watterson, Bullock said. The ramp that could be closed is located near a La Quinta Inn & Suites on Preston Highway. Front desk clerk Laura Howard said the hotel often directs guests to use the ramp and predicted some confusion if the state closes it. "It's right at our door," she said. "It would be a problem." But John Steier, owner of Pucker's Bar & Grill on Preston, said the closing would be a minor inconvenience and he doesn't expect any change in business. State Rep. Jim Wayne, who represents the area, said the ramp is convenient for local residents and businesses. But, he added, "If it's justified based on accident rates or engineering safety concerns, I think we need to pay attention to them." Clifford said the state has collected accident data, which was not immediately available. Reporter Marcus Green can be reached at (502) 582-4675. |
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